Seal Beach : Council Acts to Toughen Massage Parlor Law

The City Council on Monday night unanimously moved toward adoption of strict, new regulations for massage establishments and technicians.

Police Chief Stacy T. Picascia told the council that provisions of the city’s current massage ordinance had been circumvented by “criminal elements operating under the guise of a legal profession.” He also said the current law “prohibits massaging members of the opposite sex, (which is) obviously discriminatory and therefore . . . unconstitutional.”

The proposed ordinance differs from the current one by “establishing standards of education, conduct, dress, hygiene and operating requirements for massage establishments,” Pacascia said.

Under the proposed ordinance:

An applicant would be evaluated by the Police Department before an establishment could be opened, and the establishment would be inspected by the Orange County Health Department to ensure compliance with health laws.

Hours would be limited to between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., and a list of available services and their costs would have to be posted in “an open, public place within the premises.” No other services could be performed.

Employees would be required to wear “clean, non-transparent outer garments covering the body from neck to knee,” and massages would be prohibited in closed, locked areas.

Male patrons’ genitals, and female patrons’ breasts, would have to be covered.

The ordinance would require masseuses to have completed at least 1,000 hours of training in an accredited school. However, two professional masseuses advised the council that 500 hours would be adequate.

Dr. Mike Levi, who helped the Police Department write the proposed ordinance, agreed, describing the 1,000-hour requirement as “somewhat obsolete.”

City Manager Allen Parker and City Atty. Greg Stepanicich said they would report back to the council at its next meeting with a recommendation on reducing the hour requirement. At that time, the council will vote on the plan’s adoption.